Social

As you’re taking in the Cubs and Pirates today, a healthy chunk from the Matt Garza rumor mill to chew on …

Perhaps the most interesting bit to come out on the Matt Garza trade front in recent days is a report out of Baltimore that, before settling on Scott Feldman, the Orioles were in on Garza. But those talks broke down, according to Eduardo Encina, because the Cubs asked for a package that included infield prospect Jonathan Schoop, and pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez. Those would be prospects three and four in the Orioles’ system (behind two guys that the Cubs aren’t getting, in Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman), and Schoop was a consensus top 100 prospect (in the 70 to 90 range) coming into the season. Rodriguez was probably just a touch out of the top 100. Schoop hasn’t put up great numbers this year, but we’re talking about a 21-year-old middle infielder who’s already reached AAA. Rodriguez tore up High-A, and has now reach AA at just 20-years-old. That’s the range of prospects you’d like to see the Cubs getting in a Garza deal (more about that tomorrow), and I am very encouraged to know that the Cubs are, at present, asking a very steep price for the top trade chip on the market. My guess is the Cubs were asking for more than Schoop and Rodriguez, too.

Ken Rosenthal says that the Texas Rangers remain interested in Matt Garza, just as they were at this time last year. Rosenthal’s sources tell him what we’d already long heard: the Cubs and Rangers were extremely close to making a trade for Garza – maybe even that night when his elbow injury flared up. The Rangers are likely to remain in the mix for Garza up until he’s moved, and although their system is no longer considered a top five or maybe even ten system, it’s still plenty deep to put together a quality package for Garza. Wouldn’t it be incredible if the two sides come together on a deal involving Garza, third base prospect Mike Olt and pitching prospect Martin Perez? That was the rumored deal last year, when Olt’s and Perez’s stocks were much, much higher than they are today (and Garza’s value was much higher). A part of me is wishing that that’s the precise deal that happens, not only because it’s an acceptable take for the Cubs, but because then I could pretend that whole elbow injury thing didn’t screw the Cubs at all.

The Nationals also have interest in Garza, per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Kilgore describes that interest as “kicking the tires,” and that no formal offer has been made. That, to me, sounds like a, “hey, Theo and Jed, we’ve got some interest in Garza, but we don’t want to give up much … how much are you asking?” type of thing. That’s probably how many of these conversations start. With Dan Haren injured/ineffective and Ross Detwiler headed to the disabled list, the Nationals are probably as interested in picking up a pitcher as any team in baseball, especially when you consider how theoretically stacked their roster is, and how they are still somehow five games out of a playoff spot. As with the Rangers, there is plenty in the system that matches up well in a trade with the Cubs, so the Nats could become a very interesting trading partner.

Beyond the Boxscore takes a deep look at Garza’s value as a starter, and value in the trade market. Summing up the conclusion – and you should actually read the piece – it looks like there is a fair bit of justification to expect a healthy return.

In case you missed it yesterday, the Marlins traded Ricky Nolasco to the Dodgers in a deal that has a number implications here for the Cubs. Speaking of which, Jim Bowden says the Dodgers weren’t all that interested in Garza, given the asking price. Nolasco was described as “more realistic.” There’s not much there, other than to underscore the point that the Cubs have a very high asking price for Garza.

Once we get all these prospects for Graza, Gregg, etc…Maybe we can be buyers and trade Volgenbach and Hedricks to the White Sox for Addison Reed. Sox will be sellers…. Let’s turn him into a starter?? I’d do it. Thought from the cub faithfull…???

X the Cubs Fan

He’s the closer right? Why would we move him from closer I think he’s a pretty good pitcher if I remember correctly.

David

“Thoughts” from the cub faithful

X the Cubs Fan

I do like the trade, however.

Cedlandrum

Reed is a young cost controlled pitcher. You don’t trade those guys unless you are blown away. Dan Vogelbach and Hendricks doesn’t get that deal done.

jpeck

I like the thought of that in theory, but I think you are overvaluing the Cub prospects. White Sox could get more for Reed.

David

Yes… 24 year old closer. The sox “left” him in the bullpen after he had some success last year.

David

Volenbach sure would look good at Cellular. What other piece to be added? Would love to see another young, good arm in the system.

Cubfan Budman

Whatever happens I hope we start getting some top knotch catching prospects in the farm system!!

Cubfan Budman

How bout Garza and Gregg to Boston for Bradley Jr. and Swihart ????

Jeff K

Boston seems like a fairly decent match for a Garza + Gregg trade. Not sure they would give up Bradley Jr. I’d shoot for Webster and Middlebrooks plus one or more lower-level prospect(s) in the swap.

fresno cub fan

If Cleveland is a good match for Garza, how much international slot money do they have to sweeten things for the Cubs. In other words do the Indians have enough so that the Cubs do not have to forfeit high priced picks next year?

Walter Sobchak

I think the biggest bang for the cubs and netting the most talent is gonna be Russell/Garza or GArza/ SOri

http://None Cubbieblue29

I think the Cubs should try to package Vogelbach in a Garza deal to get 4 prospects one top 25 overall one top 5 in system and two top 25 in system. Vogelbach is blocked at first base by Rizzo and a team wouldnt mind giving up more to get a guy like him who has promise at 1B/DH. Am I wrong to want to unload Vogelbach or do you guys agree?

Cheryl

I’d hate to give up Vogelbach at this point. He needs another year before he can be a factor in a deal. But in a sense you’re right. He’s blocked by Rizzo and Rizzo is the FO’s guy. But Rizzo has stumbled at times this year. What I’d like to see is another year in the cub system for V and if Rizzo does well next year then look for a package with V and S and see what you get. And if Rizzo stumbles again next year you still have V.

Scotti

If Vogelbach gets traded, you’d like to do it later in the game after he’s ripened on the vine. Right now he’s in A-ball and not blocked by anyone for several years. RIZZO could be the guy you decide to trade three years from now to make room for Vogelbach. Trading Vogelbach now doesn’t make much sense.

http://www.survivingthalia.com Mike Taylor (no relation)

Vogelbach should be used to fetch Giancarlo Stanton in the off season, as the Marlins need a long term solution for 1B.

Serious Cubs Fan

Yeah…but to Stanton you’ll need to give up Vogelbach and Baez and Alcantara and then another arm and a leg. We’d need to give up a heck of a lot more then just Vogelbach to land Stanton. But love the thinking. I’d love to see Stanton patrolling RF in a Cubs uniform. It would just be extremely costly to the farm system to outbid other teams for his services

Rebuilding

Vogelbach would at best be a sweetener in any Stanton deal. You are starting with either Almora or Baez, if not both. Probably throw in Alcantara and Johnson and they might listen

Abe Froman

That’s why I say fudge all that, I want to see these guys develop homegrown style.

Rebuilding

At this point I see absolutely no reason to trade half the farm for Stanton, Price or anyone else. And we aren’t going to. We will do that with the 2nd wave of prospects when an pact talent can be added to the homegrown guys we’re developing now. If Vogelbach is mashing AAA in 2 years then you trade him if he doesn’t have a spot

TonyP

agreed

rockin’ dawg

Would the Giants give us Eric Surkamp and Gary Brown for Garza?

Michael

I hope not that way we don’t do that deal. Not big on Gary Brown his stock has gone way down and no more tommy johns please

curt

I just hope the cubs don’t wait to long to trade Garza like they did last year get a great deal but don’t be greedy and wait to long .

David

I believe Vogelbach will get traded in the next few years – I don’t think he can play the outfield & we’re locked in at 1st base. I only trade him for pitching. If we can get a guy like Addison Reed – let’s look into it. Starter or closer – the guy has a great arm.

Moises Canchola

I dont mind trading Vogelbach in a package deal with Garza to get the most out of a teams farm system, the problem is that i dont think Rizzo is a number 3,4, or even a 5 hitter. I like him but first base is usually reserved for a guy with great power, better than avg hitting or a gem defensively and i just feel Rizzo is mediocre at best. And yes I know he is the FO guy but hitting 20 homeruns with a batting avg of .250 is not what we are gonna need if this team is meant to be in the playoffs every year as Theo and Jed promised.

rickyp024

That’s an awful lot of assumption on a 23 year old kid playing his first full year in the majors. FWIW, I also think you are a little off in your comments on his numbers and defensive ability.

The Show

You would have to the Garza nets you AT LEAST Martin Perez from the Rangers.

Serious Cubs Fan

Not sure about that. Perez’s stock was down last year and he’s having a pretty good year this year and stock is up. I’d hope Garza could net a pitcher of Perez’s caliber but I’m not so sure about that.

Rebuilding

The problem with Perez is that with Tepesch going down the Rangers are trying to add pitchers not stay even. Perez is a part of their rotation so they are going to want to send you minor leaguers and there aren’t many good arms left down there

K Stud

Three team trade? Garza to Boston with Webster and high ceiling prospect going to Miami, Soriano and Castro to Arizona with Skaggs and Bradley going to Miami and Stanton heading to Chicago….

Rebuilding

Try it on MLB2013 and see if it works because its the only place that’s happening

Oswego chris

You will have to turn off the Fair Trade Evaluator…

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

How about Iron Man to Chicago Batman to Miami, and Sandman to LA- Cubs will take on some cash but Stark would be worth it. Batman is just destroys team chemistry with his sulkiness and Sandman is perfect for LA. All teams win the Comic universe is flipped. Nice easy trade

AD

Scott Hairston to the Nationals per Mr. Rosenthal.

Serious Cubs Fan

My guess PTBNL or cash considerations, but I’m leaning towards actually getting a decent prospect for Hairston as my guess. Not a great prospect but not a filler either

Do not be surprised to find Junior Lake as the call up from Iowa to replace Hairston. He has been seeing time in RF as well as 3B at Des Moines.

willis

It’ll be interesting to see who is brought up but I have doubts it’ll be Lake. I think they want more ABs for him. BUT, if you bring him up to start every day, then yeah I’m down with that.

Josh t

If junior lake gets the call up to the bigs I would prefer him be an everyday player to help refine his swing and plate approach. He’s been great at Iowa so far but we all know that’s the PCL and numbers are deceiving in those ballparks. I would mind seeing junior up after the trade deadline and once rosters expand later in the season

Rebuilding

I wouldn’t mind getting Tyler Moore who is basically a 25 year old Scott Hairston

Tobias

It will be a pitcher.

Josh t

Ken_Rosenthal tweet: #Cubs getting minor-league pitcher from #Nationals for Scott Hairston. Will be announced in morning.

Eric

Watch it be Sammy Solis (injured, upside guy theo seems to like)

Rebuilding

I had the same thought. Elbow ligament surgery 15 months ago and then shut down with shoulder fatigue right after coming back. He was their #8 prospect before the injury, so even injured he might be to much to hope to get for Hairston. If they do its a nice lottery ticket

Serious Cubs Fan

Would love to land Sammy Solis for Hairston but doubt it. I bet we don’t even get a pitcher of his caliber, even though the guy has injury problems. I’m thinking low level middle reliever probably.

http://www.hookersorcake.com hookersorcake

We aint getting Solis. It would be highway robbery if we did.

Cedlandrum

Wow who they going to call up?

The Show

Steven Stras and/or Harper?

Jed Jam Band

Haha. You are quite funny. Tip of my hat to you.

http://Bleachernation Lou Brock

I would be willing to take the closer at Harrisburg, AA, Aaron Barrett who has 17 saves and a nice ERA.

Josh t

Donnie Murphy was pulled from Iowa game today after hitting his 10th HR. Could be the guy to replace Hairston.

http://Bleachernation Lou Brock

Because he was injured. Murphy hit by pitch and replaced. I’m wondering if Jeff Francouer is still out there in DFA limbo.

Serious Cubs Fan

Remember if you pick a guy up, you also have to take on his contract. Jeff Francouer? no thanks. Plus the biggest reason not pick him up is that the guy can’t hit

Michael

My dream matchup is with Boston. Getting two of Bradley Jr., Webster, Middlebrooks, Swihart, Cecchini, Barnes would make me very happy.

Serious Cubs Fan

Cecchini, Barnes would be the best out of that group, but unlikely we get any of them, besides middlebrooks who I want no part of.

http://www.hookersorcake.com hookersorcake

Come on! Middlebrooks career SO rate is under 30%… I think.

Serious Cubs Fan

If we were able to sign him to a no risk, low money minor league deal, then I’d agree Jeff Francouer wouldn’t be a bad option, plus theirs and little upside

X the Cubs Fan

Bradley Jr and Webster for Garza and Russell

chirogerg

I’d rather have Hedges and a pitcher from the pads

Rebuilding

You gotta believe the Padres are no longer buyers. We aren’t too far behind them now

SenorGato

Cechinni is the only one of those Red Sox guys I really, really, really like. Possibly could really like Bradley Jr.

Rebuilding

Love Cecchini. He’s going to be a superstar. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was their starting 3b in the playoffs

Interesting on The Twitters

Beautiful BN Apparel

BN on Video

Post Categories

Site Archives

Get In Touch

Search

Disclaimer

In addition to news, Bleacher Nation publishes both rumor and opinion, as well as information reported by other sources. Information on Bleacher Nation may contain errors or inaccuracies, though we try to avoid them. Links to content and the quotation of material from other news sources are not the responsibility of Bleacher Nation. Photos used either are the property of Bleacher Nation, are used with permission, are fair use, or are believed to be in the public domain. Legitimate requests to remove copyrighted photos not in the public domain will be honored promptly. Comments by third parties are neither sponsored or endorsed by Bleacher Nation.

Bleacher Nation Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Bleacher Nation is a private media site, and it is not affiliated in any way with Major League Baseball or the Chicago Cubs. Neither MLB nor the Chicago Cubs have endorsed, supported, directed, or participated in the creation of the content at this site, or in the creation of the site itself. It's just a media site that happens to cover the Chicago Cubs.

Bleacher Nation is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.